Kali Puja in Delhi

Alongside Durga Puja, the Bengali community in Delhi is also gearing up to worship Goddess Kali with traditional piety and devotion. Kali Puja is held during Amavasya in the month of Kartik- which is also the day of Diwali. This year Kali Puja will be held on 17^th October, 2009.
In fact, wherever there is a sizeable gathering of Bengalis, they establish a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. For example, there is a famous Kali Bari in Simla. One of the renowned temples in Delhi is of course the New Delhi Kali Bari near Birla Mandir. However, the oldest Kali Mandir in New Delhi is the Tis Hazari Kali Mandir. Other well known Kali mandirs include the ones in Noida, Chittaranjan Park and one in Safdarjang Enclave known as “Matri Mandir”.

I have always been intrigued by the image of Godess Kali. Can you explain the image and the symbolism behind it?

Well, Nutan I would like to relate the story as told by my grandmother. As far as I can recall, there was a fierce battle between the devtas and the demon called Raktabeej.As with all other demons, this particular demon had received a boon. The boon was that where ever a drop of his blood fell, a thousand demons would spring forth.
Faced with such a fierce demon who would not die even after being beheaded,Goddess Kali was born from the brow of Goddess Durga. The battle was particularly fierce and due to divine power,jackals came up to lap up the blood which fell as each asura was beheaded. Eventually, the demon was demolished but the Goddess would not stop and attacked everything in sight. To stop her, Lord Shiva, the consort of Goddess Durga, threw himself under her feet. As she stepped on her lord, the Devtas called out to her, and she was so astonished at her deed, that her tongue came out.
This story may not be fully accurate, but this is as far as my memory serves me. Perhaps other ILites may like to add to the story.

Dear Nutan,
Thank you for stopping by. According to experts of Tantric literature, the image of Goddess Kali has powerful symbols. She is one of the few godesses of the Hindu pantheon to have a dark complexion. The colour black is significant as it is all encompassing and there is no colour beyond black. Again, the lack of garments on her image, indicates that she is free from the "maya" or illusions/attachments of this world. This “freedom from maya” is a recurrent theme in her image. Many regard the garland of severed human hands a powerful symbol of liberation from the cycle of karma of which everyone is a part of, in this world.
Another important facet of the image of Goddess Kali is that Lord Shiva is lying at her feet. This may suggest that without the power of Shakti(female form), Shiva himself is inert.

I have visited a few Kali Temples in Kolkata, including the Dakhineshwar Temple in Kolkata and a very old Kali temple of the Royal Family inside the Jammu Fort in Jammu. Is it true that Goddess Kali is also worshipped in cremation ghats during Kali Puja?

Hi Shefali
It is true that Goddess Kali is worshipped in the form of "Sashan Kali" during Kali Puja in cremation ghats. I have heard of the puja being organised near the Nigambodh Ghat cremation ghats on the banks of Yamuna in New Delhi. As far as I can recall, the image of the "Sashan Kali" has to be completed after sunset and the entire puja and immersion of the image completed before sunrise the next day.
Like Devi Durga, Goddess Kali too has many forms including the Bhadra Kali and the Sashan Kali.

It is true that there are many forms of Kali. As Sushma has discussed, one of the forms, though a bit uncommon is the "Shashana Kali" or "Kali of the Cremation Grounds".
Then there is "Bhadra Kali" or "Kali who is gentle". Many Kali temples are dedicated to the Dakshina Kali. There is a popular temple near DDA Market No.1 in C.R.Park dedicated to the Dakshina Kali.
The benevolent form of Goddess Kali - Ma Tara is very popular in Kolkata and you will find everything from rickety buses to sweet shops to estate agents sporting her name in almost every locality. Other forms of the Goddess include Adya Ma and Chamundi.

Originally Posted by sushmasrivastav

hi shefali
it is true that goddess kali is worshipped in the form of "sashan kali" during kali puja in cremation ghats. I have heard of the puja being organised near the nigambodh ghat cremation ghats on the banks of yamuna in new delhi. As far as i can recall, the image of the "sashan kali" has to be completed after sunset and the entire puja and immersion of the image completed before sunrise the next day.
like devi durga, goddess kali too has many forms including the bhadra kali and the sashan kali.

hello evryone , the quote above is true and i would just like to add a few things to it.

This kali puja which is organised at the nigambodh ghat shamshan,delhi every year was started more than 60 years ago by shri barin ghosh and was taken over by my grandfather shri narendranath shihi after a few years. My grandfather then organised the holy puja with the help and support of his two sons shri swadhin shihi(my father) and shri samir shihi(my uncle) at the same venue for near about 40 years till he died in january 1997. After his death a group of people living in kailash nagar,delhi took over the responsibility of the auspicious event.

I just wanted everyone to know that this kali puja is one of the oldest in delhi,yet few people knows about it. And i would also like to make an appeal to everyon who will read this to please visit godess kali at the nigambodh ghat this year and vry year from now on. It is an amaizing feeling to be there worshiping the holy godess believe me.


Nigambodh ghat shamshan
near yamuna bazar prachin hanuman mandir.
Landmark--- old isbt(maharana pratap bus adda)

I would like to tell you about the Dasamukhi Mahakali image of Goddess Kali. In her Mahakali avtaar, Goddess Kali is depicted with ten heads, ten arms, and ten legs.

In each of her ten hands, Mahakali is carrying various weapons or implements each of which represents a particular Hindu God. The weapons include Trident, Sword, Mace and a bow and arrow. She also carries a severed head in one of her hands. Interestingly, the Goddess has an “Ekamukhi” avtaar. In these images, she is depicted as a one headed image with ten arms.

Originally Posted by shankarshihi

hello evryone , the quote above is true and i would just like to add a few things to it.

This kali puja which is organised at the nigambodh ghat shamshan,delhi every year was started more than 60 years ago by shri barin ghosh and was taken over by my grandfather shri narendranath shihi after a few years. My grandfather then organised the holy puja with the help and support of his two sons shri swadhin shihi(my father) and shri samir shihi(my uncle) at the same venue for near about 40 years till he died in january 1997. After his death a group of people living in kailash nagar,delhi took over the responsibility of the auspicious event.

I just wanted everyone to know that this kali puja is one of the oldest in delhi,yet few people knows about it. And i would also like to make an appeal to everyon who will read this to please visit godess kali at the nigambodh ghat this year and vry year from now on. It is an amaizing feeling to be there worshiping the holy godess believe me.
Nigambodh ghat shamshan
near yamuna bazar prachin hanuman mandir.
Landmark--- old isbt(maharana pratap bus adda)

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Hi shankarshihi;869168 and all other IndisLadies contributors. I am Simon, a photojournalist living in Delhi and was wondering if I could attend this Kali Puja you describe at nigambodh ghat? Can you give me some more detail please? Can you first confirm the date and explain what I would witness and if possible a rough idea of timings to arrive and roughly when key elements of the puja might take place e.g the immersions etc. Will there be just one representation of the goddess there or will there be many?
Also in your opinion is this the most photogenic of the Kali Puja's to witness in Delhi or are there other places that might yield similar or more interesting images?
Many thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give.
With best wishes, Simon